50 ‘protesters’ booked in Fazilka

Fazilka, February 12

At least 50 unidentified persons have been booked under Sections 354 (criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC on the basis of statement of BJP candidate Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta from ward No. 20.

As per the FIR, 50 to 60 protesters, holding farmer unions’ flags, on Thursday barged into Gupta’s office and started misbehaving with women. Enraged, BJP activists led by former minister Surjit Kumar Jyani staged a dharna near Gupta’s office on Gaushalla Road yesterday evening against the hooliganism and demanded action against the guilty. The dharna was lifted after the police assured BJP leaders of action.

Later, the police registered a case against unidentified persons. BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) activists had taken out a procession in the town against the farm laws on Thursday. They had also protested outside Gupta’s office for some time. “No one has been arrested so far. The culprits would be identified and arrested after thorough investigation”, said Fazilka DSP Jasveer Singh.

BKU leaders, however, condemned Jyani and other BJP leaders, saying the party was trying to suppress the farmers’ protest. — OC

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